WHAT CAUSES LIGHT BULBS TO EXPLODE

Although light bulbs have a limited lifespan, they always seem to explode as you're getting ready to read a book or start working. In some situations, the cause could be something as silly as touching the light bulb with oily hands. In others, it can be a more serious issue that requires the attention of a certified electrician.

Here are the most common reasons why light bulbs explode.

• Oily hands

As mentioned above, oily hands are one of the surprising causes of exploding light bulbs. Standard halogen bulbs seem to be especially vulnerable to oils. When you touch the light bulb with oily hands, it leaves a residue that may heat up when you turn on the light. As the light bulb burns for longer, it gets hotter and eventually explodes.

• Wrong bulb wattage

When the bulb wattage and fixture wattage don't match, it can cause the bulb to explode. Namely, the fixture heats up if the bulb used draws more power than the fixture's wattage rating. That's why purchasing a light bulb with the lowest wattage is a good idea, if you don't know which one to get.

• High voltage

If there's high voltage in the home, light bulbs can explode faster. Because they tend to burn brighter, they also don't last as long as they should. Nonetheless, getting an electrician to check the voltage in the house is essential. They can offer solutions for overvoltage, which would also solve the light bulb exploding issue.

• Excessive fixture vibration

When fixtures vibrate excessively, the bulb filament tends to wriggle too much, increasing the risk of the light bulb exploding. This is more common with ceiling fans.

• Untightened light bulb

A loose connection between a light bulb and socket can cause flickering and even a light bulb explosion. Surprisingly, the solution is tightening the light bulb. But before you do that, make sure to turn off the light.

Remember to inspect all the sockets for loose connections regularly and to fix potential issues on time. That'll prevent flickers and explosions.

• Improper insulation

When the light bulb base doesn't have proper insulation, the filament can overheat as the gas escapes the base, leading to a light bulb exploding.

However, it's worth noting that this is more common with cheap light bulbs. To avoid that, invest in some good-quality light bulbs and save yourself the trouble.

• Power surges

Those who live in older homes are more likely to experience power surges. If this is frequent and you're not using surge protectors, light bulbs can explode more often.

Such spikes shouldn't be taken lightly, so call an electrician to inspect the outlets.

Kennedy Electric is a reliable full-service electrical company serving residential and commercial customers in Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties. We offer electrical repairs, boat lift wiring, remodels, low voltage lighting, generator hookups, RV power, electrical inspections, fan installation, home lighting, new circuits, panels, and more. Call today at 352-251-2795.